Tulsa's Cleveland Middle School honored by district officials

Tulsa Public School students still have about a week of summer left, but the teachers headed back to class Wednesday. <br><br>And some teachers got a surprising welcome back present. News on 6 anchor

Wednesday, August 27th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa Public School students still have about a week of summer left, but the teachers headed back to class Wednesday.

And some teachers got a surprising welcome back present. News on 6 anchor Terry Hood says TPS Superintendent Dr David Sawyer kicked off the new year by recognizing the best of the best and the most improved schools in the district.

The honor was welcome news to one school that's gotten a little bad news. Cleveland Middle School at 724 North Birmingham Avenue was placed on the state's â€˜Needs Improvementâ€™ list last week. Schools are placed on that list if student test scores don't meet state benchmarks for two years in a row.

Cleveland reading scores are improving, but the jump wasn't high enough to meet the state requirements. According to the district's accountability plan, Dr Sawyer says they're making strides. And today he named Cleveland as the most improved middle school in the district. Kris Serna, Cleveland School Principal, "this is just terrific I was not expecting it I'm just overwhelmed I'm grateful for the staff the staff's excited what a great way to come back to school and start the year."

Dale Lindsey, Cleveland teacher of 10 years, â€œI know a lot of teachers are working real hard to improve the school and so it kind of pumps us up and gets us ready for the next year."

Remington Elementary and Central High School were also named most improved.